State funding to help pave 14 more miles of Syracuse roads

SYRACUSE — The City of Syracuse will more than double the miles of roads it will repave this construction season. 

The increase in road work results from an “infusion” of $7.25 million in New York State Touring Routes funding to the city, the office of Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said in an Aug. 17 news release. 

Walsh joined New York State Assemblyman William Magnarelli (D–Syracuse), who chairs the Assembly’s transportation committee, to announce the additional funding.

“Weather permitting,” the increase in funding means crews will handle an additional 14 miles of repaving work in neighborhoods across Syracuse. The city’s Department of Public Works (DPW) initially targeted 10 miles of road reconstruction this year and now is looking at doing 24 miles.

“Our road reconstruction team is rolling again this summer. They’re repaving major roads and neighborhood streets all over the city,” Walsh said. “This additional state support means we will be able to complete about two seasons of work in one year. I thank Assemblyman Magnarelli and all of the members of our state delegation for making this funding available. The impact of Touring Routes funds will be felt for many years to come across the city.”

The New York Legislature authorized $100 million in Touring Routes funds in the 2021-22 state budget. The funds go to cities, towns, and villages to “enhance” the physical condition of roadways, create jobs, and “enhance local economic competitiveness.”

“Bad road conditions are not just an annoyance. They are a safety issue that can cause personal injuries and property damage, deterring residents from their daily routes and making life in general more difficult. Investing in our local infrastructure is an excellent way of helping our localities and increasing the flow of goods and people safely,” Magnarelli said. “New York State has invested $100 million in the Touring Routes Program that will fund reconstruction on our cities, towns and village roads, not just state routes, but for any roads throughout the state to serve the residents better.”